(no subject)

[erbie]

Does spanking make kids dumber?

Two studies say that it does.

Sure, five IQ points isn't a lot, but what's behind it? What biological, neurological and psychological processes are causing it? And is it worth it when there are other methods that are more effective and don't involve striking a child?

Comments

[merina.livejournal.com]

I'm having a hard time with this study. I don't think you should spank teeny kids (or ANY kids) - and while I do think that spanking does all sorts of detrimental things to a child, I'm not so sure about the IQ link. There are so many other factors - including socio-economic factors. I don't know how to normalize all that out because it isn't as though you're going to take two similar parent groups and have one spank and one not...

Basically, I keep wondering if parents who spank are more likely to have children with lower IQs because there is another factor in there that makes those parents more likely to spank their kids?

[erbie.livejournal.com]

I agree that the info in the article seems a bit dubious. But it does raise questions. And if there's any question, is it really worth it?